Thursday, July 17, 2008

How do you talk to neighbors (and more importantly strangers) in your town about buying locally handmade products? That is a question frequently discussed amongst crafters.

One such crafter has taken the task of getting the word out about buying locally to heart, literally.

BujorHandmades started the project in early 2008 while eager to use the last few scraps of her beloved sweater which shrank in the wash. She create heart pins, and with that simple recycled pin knew that it would be easy to promote Etsy... "local made products, handmade, artisans and their creations, pride in creating, story behind each product."

With the help of others, the "Born of Love and Consciousness Heart Pin" has expanded to a movement which they hope will increase awareness about handmade products and buying locally. They hope that people will wear the pins proudly and use them to start conversations about the pin and in turn proudly speak about Etsy and all it stands for. "I hope that the Born of Love and Consciousness Heart Pin becomes a national symbol for pride and celebration, for building communities," BujorHandmades added.

If this sounds like a good idea to you too, here's where you can purchase hearts for the first few states to join the movement. Of course, if your state isn't included yet, contact BujorHandmades for more information about joining in on the fun!

JackAndJillsMom, North Carolina's "Born of Love and Consciousness Heart Pin"